Spring plankless truck



Dec. 15, 1942. A. H. ol-:LKERs SPRING PLANKLESS TRUCK 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled June '7,' 1940 Y INVENTOR.

De. 15, 1942. A H QELKERS 2,305,027v

SPRING PLANKLEss .TRUCK Filed June '7, 1940 2 'Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedDec. 15, 1942 SPRING PLANKLESS TRUCK Alfred H. Oelkers, Chicago,

Ill., assigner to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof New Jersey Application June 7, 1940, Serial No. 339,239

26 Claims.

My invention relates to a four wheel railway car truck and moreparticularly to such a form of truck commonly designated springplankless quick wheel change type.

My invention constitutes an improvement upon the type of truck shown inmy United States patent, No. 2,194,447, issued March 19, 1940.

In my said patent, a type of quick wheel change truck is shown whereinthe side frames are maintained in proper squared relationship by atransverse load carrying member or bolster, wherein said bolster is xedin position with relation to each side frame through the medium of aresilient bar supported on the outboard face of each side frame andconnected to the bolster or load carrying member by means of downwardlydirected jaws formed thereon. In the improved form shown herein, theresilient bar, forming a means of connection between the side frame andbolster, is supported within the side frame, thereby eliminating thepossibility of its loss, and in addition, an adjustable means isprovided suitable for varying the exing of said bar to accommodatevarying conditions.

A general object of my invention is a form of quick wheel change springplankless truck wherein the connection between the side frame andbolster is frictional in character and wherein under normal operatingconditions the side frame will be free of engagement with the bolsterexcept through the medium of the before-mentioned flexible member.

My invention comprehends an arrangement wherein a flexible bar,approximating in length the distance between the journal boxes of theside frame, may be inserted in said side frame above the journal box ateither end thereof and positioned by the lugs formed on the inboardfaces of the walls of the side frame adjacent each journal box, saidflexible member extending through suitable openings in each column andoverlying the load carrying member or bolster, and said bolster beingafforded lugs on the top face thereof for transmitting thrusts therefromto the adjacent columns of the side frame.

My inventionv further contemplates such a structure as that abovedescribed which is particularly suitable where the quick wheel changefeature is desired since the flexible member may easily be released fromengagement with the f bolster and the bolster raised from the supportingspring group on which it is seated and thus removed from the bolsteropening. This may be accomplished without the removal of the exible barwhich may be released at the ends and raised to permit the disengagementof the bolster end as above set forth.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a four wheel railway car truck embodyingmy invention, only one-half the truck being-shown inasmuch as theopposite sides are similar in arrangement and structure.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the truck structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially in the vertical planebisecting the truck transversely andas indicated by the line 3 3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 3A is a fragmentary sectional view showing an alternate sectionthrough the compression member of the side frame.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the modiedarrangement for exing the ends of the retaining bar.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially in thetransverse plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Describing my novel structure in greater detail, the truck comprises theside frame generally designated 2 of truss form comprising thecompression member 4 and the tension member 6 merging at their endsadjacent the journal boxes B, 8 forming the usual means of connection tothe spaced wheel and axle assemblies I0, Ill. Each side frame comprisesthe integral guide columns I2, I2 dening with said tension andcompression members the spaced window openings I ll, I4 and the centralbolster opening I6. Below said bolster opening, the tension member iswidened (Figure 3) to form the spring seat I 8 aiording a seat for thespring group generally designated 20 and comprising the bottom springplate 22, thetop spring plate 24, coil springs 26, 26, and the frictionabsorbing device 28, said top and bottom spring plates being affordedpositioning means in engagement respectively with the bolster 29 as at30, 30 and With Said side frame as at 32, 32. Inwardly of the springseat, the side frame is afforded the integral bracket .'34 serving assupport for a brake beam guide or leveling means. At the juncture ofeach column I2 with the compression member 4, the usual inboard brakehanger brackets 35, 35 are supported with jaws in alignment with theadjacent wheels.

The end of the bolster 29 projects through the bolster opening I6 forseating upon the spring group 20, as already mentioned. The columns I2,I2 are each aiorded vertical guide surfaces along their upper portions,said guide surfaces being` extended by the lnboard flanges 3S, 36 andthe outboard flanges 38, 38 formed on the columns for that purpose. Theguide surface on each column therefore comprises a widened areaextending from the outboard edges of the flanges 33 to the inboard edgesof the flanges 36 and entirely across the columns at the lower portionsof the guide surfaces, while at the top, each guide surface isinterrupted by the slot 39 (Figure 3) within which is received theflexible bar 45, as hereinafter described. On the top wall of thebolster end are formed spaced inboard lugs 4l), 4i! Y and spacedoutboard lugs 42, 42 affording along their opposite edges thrustengagement as at 44, 44 with the flexible retaining bar 46 whosehorizontal mid-portion overlies said bolster.

The flexible bar 4S is formed of spring steel stock as a single platemember, and the ends of said bar may be afforded camber as desired inorder to accommodate it to the particular features of the truck sideframe wherein itis embodied. The opposite cambered ends of the bar 46,project through appropriate openings in the tops of theV columns l2, l2extending between the lateral wallsthereof Yasiat 48, 48 and extendacross the window openings I4, I4, the opposite ends of the side framethus affording ready inspection cf all parts thereof. Each end of theexible retaining bar is afforded abutment as at 50 with inwardlydirected llugs 52, 52 integrally formed onrthe inner faces of thelateral walls of the side frame structure. Adjustable flexing of eachend of the bar is afforded by a threaded bolt 54 bearing as at 56 uponthe top of said bar, said threaded bolt being secured in the top wall ofthe compression member 4 by means of spaced nuts 58, 58 threaded thereonabove and below said Wall.r Seats are afforded onthe inner and outersurfaces of the top wall of the compression member for the nuts 58, ,58Aand adjacent said bolt. Said compression member top wall is cored .f

out as at Gli to affordconvenient access for adjustment of said boltandnut assembly. Each side frame is afforded an opening 62 above thejournal box and extending longitudinally of the frame to accommodate theapplication or removal of the flexible bar 46. Said bar may be appliedor removed Vfrom either end of the side frame, and when in positionbetween the beforementioned lugs 52, 52 at opposite ends of the framemay be flexed as desired by application of the adjusting bolts 54, 54.If desired, the inner wall ofthe compression member 4 may be offset asindicated at 64 (Figure 3A) to accommodate the bar 46 so that it may beraised until its bottom surface will be Vflush with the top margin ofthebolster opening I6.

Figures 4 and 5 show a modified key arrangement for flexing the ends ofthe bar 46 wherein the side walls Yof theside frame are afforded alignedvertical slots 66, 66 for reception of the key 68. The said key may havea maximum vertical dimension approximately equal to the length of theslots 66, 65 so that it may be inserted therethrough, and atv the upperedges of said key are afforded the retaining lugs 10, lli, said keybeing held in its normal position at the top of the slots 6B, 66 by thefiexure of the bar 46,

Itwill thus be seen that I have provided a novel arrangement wherein aflexible bar forms a sole means of tying together the side frame andbolster of a spring plankless car truck of quick wheel change type andwherein the squaring means thus afforded is augmented by relatively wideguide columns formed on the bolster for emergency engagement therewith,t the same time, my arrangement facilitates the quick disengagement ofthe bolster from the bolster opening of the side frame and thus promptdismantling of the truck for wheel change. In my novel arrangement,lateral thrusts between the side frame and bolster are transmittedthrough the medium of the flexible bar 4G as already described, whilelongitudinal thrusts between the side frame and the bolster are absorbedat the widened guide surfaces of the columns. Relative torsionalmovement between the side frame and bolster is first taken up in theflexible bar 46 and then limited by engagement of the sides of thebolster with the guide surfaces of the columns.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exactembodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustrationand not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, ofcourse, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a four wheel railway car truck of quick wheel change springplankless type, a truss side frame having compression and tensionmembers merging adjacent their ends with integral journal boxes,integral columns forming with said members a bolster opening and spacedwindow openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end projecting intosaid bolster opening and positioned on said spring group, a flexible barsupported in said side frame longitudinally thereof and affordedabutment at its opposite ends adjacent said journal boxes, said barextending through longitudinally aligned openings in said columns oversaid bolster end and interlocking with said bolster end in said bolsteropening, and means secured in said side frame for adjustably flexing theends of said bar, said compression member having over said bolsteropening a box-section with the bottom wall thereof offset to form alongitudinal channel for reception of said bar above said bolsteropening to facilitate the removal therefrom of said bolster end.

2. In a four wheel railway car truck of spring plankless quick wheelchange type, a truss side frame having a compression member, a tensionmember, and integral columns forming therewith a bolster opening andspaced window openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneathsaid bolster opening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end extendinginto said bolster opening and positioned on said spring group,longitudinally aligned openings in the ends of said frame and in saidcolumns, a exible bar extending through the alignedV openings in saidcolumns, abutments therefor adjacent opposite ends of said side frame,and adjustable means mounted in each end of said frame for varying theflexure of said bar, said compression member having a box-section oversaid bolster opening with the bottom wall thereof afforded an offsetportion forming a longitudinal channel therein for the reception of saidbar above said bolster opening to facilitate the application or removalof said bolster.

3. In a four wheel railway car truck, spaced side frames of truss type,each having tension and compression members merging adjacent their endsand spaced integral columns forming a bolster opening, a'bolsterextending between said frames with its opposite ends received in saidopenings, a spring group on each frame affording support for theadjacent bolster end, and a flexible bar confined within each frame andinterlocked with the adjacent bolster end against relative lateralmovement, and means fixed in the opposite ends of each frame forIadjustably flexing the associated bar and urging it into engagementwith the adjacent bolster end, each of said columns having along itsupper portion a bolster guide surface defined by inboard and outboardflanges and interrupted centrally thereof `by a vertical slot affordinga passageway for said bar, said compression member having a box-sectionover said bolster opening with the bottom wall thereof offset to definea longitudinal channel therein for accommodation of said bar and tofacilitate removal of said bolster end from said bolster opening.

4. In a four wheel railway car truck, spaced side frames of truss type,each having tension and compression members merging adjacent their endsand spaced integral columns forming a bolster opening, a bolsterextending between said frames with its opposite ends received in saidopenings, a spring group on each frame affording support for theadjacent bolster end, a flexible bar confined within each frame andinterlocked with the adjacent bolster end against relative lateralmovement, and means fixed in the opposite ends of each frame foradjustably flexing the associated bar and urging it downwardly intoengagement with the adjacent bolster end, each of said columns havingalong its upper portion a bolster guide surface defined by inboard andoutboard flanges and interrupted centrally thereof by a U'-shaped slotaffording a way for said bar.

5. In a four wheel railway car truck of quick wheel change springplankless type, a truss side frame having compression and tensionmembers merging adjacent their ends with integral journal boxes,integral columns forming with said members a bolster opening and spacedwindow openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end projecting intosaid bolster opening and positioned on said spring group, a flexible barsupported in said side frame longitudinally thereof and affordedabutment at its opposite ends adjacent said journal boxes, said barextending through longitudinally aligned openings in said columns oversaid bolster end and interlocking therewith in said bolster opening,thrust engaging means consisting of spaced lugs on said bolster endaffording control of vertical and lateral oscillation of said bolsterend by said bar, means secured in said side frame for adjustably flexingthe ends of said bar, and openings in the ends of said frame alignedwith said column openings for insertion or removal of said bar.

6. In a four wheel railway car truck, a side frame having integraltension and compression members merging adjacent their ends, integralcolumns forming therewith a bolster opening, a spring group seated onsaid tension member, a bolster end extending within said opening andsupported on said spring group, and a flexible bar confined in said sideframe and extending longitudinally thereof through said columns oversaid bolster end, thrust engaging means consisting of spaced lugs onsaid bolster end affording control of Vertical and lateral oscillationof said bolster end by said flexible bar, means fixed on the ends ofsaid frame in abutment with the ends f said bar for adjustably flexingsaid bar into engagement with said bolster,v each? of said columnshaving a bolster guide surface along the upper portion thereof and beinginterrupted centrally thereof by a Vertical channel affording passagefor said bar, and openings in the ends of said frame aligned with saidcolumn openings for insertion or removal of said bar.

7. In a four wheel railway car truck, a side frame having integraltension and compression lateral oscillation of said bolster end by saidflexible bar, each of said columns having a bolster guide surface alongthe upper portion thereof, said surface being defined by inboard andoutboard flanges and being interrupted centrally thereof by a verticalchannel affording passage for said bar, and openings in the ends of saidframe aligned with said column openings for insertion or removal of saidbar.

8. In a four wheel railway car truck of spring plankless quick wheelchange type, a truss side frame having a compression member, a tensionmember, and integral columns forming therewith a bolster opening andspaced window openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneathsaid bolster opening, a spring group thereon, a

bolster end extending into said bolster opening and positioned on saidspring group, longitudinally aligned openings in the ends of said frameand in said columns, a flexible bar extending through the alignedopenings in said columns, abutments therefor adjacent opposite ends ofsaid side frame, and means on the top of said bolster engaging said barto limit relative lateral motion therebetween, said compression memberhaving a box-section over said bolster opening, the botton wall thereofbeing offset to form a longitudinal slot for reception of said bar clearof said bolster opening.

9. In a four wheel railway car truck of quick wheel change springplankless type, a truss side frame having compression and tensionmembers merging adjacent their ends with integral journal boxes,integral columns forming with said members a bolster opening and spacedwindow openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end projecting intosaid bolster opening and positioned on said spring group, a flexible barsupported in said side frame longitudinally thereof and affordedabutment at its opposite ends adjacent said journal boxes, said barextending through longitudinally aligned openings in said columns oversaid bolster end and interlocking therewith in said bolster opening, anda longitudinal slot in the bottom wall of said compression member oversaid bolster opening to accommodate said bar and facilitate removal ofsaid bolster end from said bolster opening.

10. In a four wheel railway car truck of quick wheel change type, atruss side frame having a compression member, a tension member, andintegral columns forming therewith a bolster opening and spaced windowopenings, a spring seat on said tension member beneath said bolsteropening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end 4 extendinginto saidbolster opening andpositioned on said spring group, longitudinallyaligned openings inthe ends of said frame and in said columns, aflexible bar extending through the aligned openings in said columns andoverlying said bolster end, abutments therefor" adjacent opposite endsof said side frame, thrust engaging means on said bar and said bolsterend characterized by spaced lugs on said bolster end which affordcontrol of vertical and lateral oscillation of said bolster end by saidflexible bar, and adjustable means mounted in each end of said frame forVarying the pressure of said bar on said bolster end.

l1. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having compression andtension members merging adjacent their ends `and spaced integral columnsforming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings,each. of said columns having along its upper portion a bolster guidesurfaceidened vby inwardly and outwardly directed guide flanges andinterrupted centrally thereof by a vertical slot, said slots beingaligned longitudinally of said frame, openings in the ends of-said framealigned with said before-mentioned slots for reception of an associatedflexible member, and stop means adjacent the ends of said frameaffording abutments for said associated member.

l2. In a four wheel railway car truck, spaced side frames of Vtrusstype, each having tension and compression members merging adjacent theirends and spaced integral columns forming a bolster opening, a bolsterextending between said frames with its opposite endsV received in saidopeningsa spring group on each frame affording support" for the adjacentbolster end, and a flexible bar confined within each frame andinterlocked with the adjacent bolster end against relative lateralmovement, and means fixed in the opposite ends of each frame foradjustably flexing the confined bar and urging it downwardly intoengagement with the adjacent bolster end.

13. In a four wheel railway car truck, a side frame having integraltension and compression members merging adjacent their ends, integralcolumns forming therewith a bolster opening, vertical slots in saidcolumns aligned longitudinally of said frame, a spring group seated onsaid tension member, a bolster end extending within said opening andsupported on said spring group, and a flexible bar confined in said sideframe and extending longitudinally 4thereof through said columns andbearing on said bolster end, thrust engaging means consisting of spacedlugs on said bolster end affording control of vertical and lateraloscillation of said bolster end by said flexible bar, and means fixed inthe ends of said frame in abutment with the ends of said bar foradjustably urging said bar into engagement with said bolster.

i4. In a four wheel railway car truck of spring plankless quick wheelchange type, a truss side frame having a compression member, a tensionmember,- and integral columns forming therewith a bolster opening andspaced window openings, a spring seat on said tension member beneathsaid bolster opening, a spring group thereon, a bolster end extendinginto said bolster` opening and positioned on said spring group,longitudinally aligned openings in the ends of said frame and in saidcolumns, a flexible bar extending through the aligned openings in saidcolumns and bearing on the top of said bolster end, and

interengaging thrust 'means characterized by spaced lugs on saidbolsterend affording control of vertical and lateral oscillation of saidbolster by said flexible bar.

l5. A truss side frame having compression and tension members mergingadjacent their ends and spaced integral columns forming therewith acentral bolster opening and spaced window openings, and longitudinalopenings at opposite ends of said frame aligned with longitudinalopenings in said columns for reception of an associated flexible bar,each of said columns having a widened bolster guide surface formed byinwardly.

and outwardly directed guide lugs, the lower portions of said guidesurfaces extending entirely across said columns and the upper portionsthereof being interrupted centrally thereof by said aligned openings,said compression member having a box-section over said bolster openingwith a longitudinal slot therein affording a recess for said bar clearof said bolster opening.

lf3. In a four wheel railway car truck, a side frame having integraltension and compression members merging adjacent their ends, integralcolumns forming therewith a bolster opening, vertical slots in saidcolumns aligned longitudinally of said frame, a spring group seated onsaid tension member, a bolster end extending within said opening andsupported on said spring group, and a flexible bar confined in said sideframe and extending longitudinally thereof through said columns andbearing on said bolster end, thrust engaging means characterized byspaced lugs on said bolster end which afford control by said flexiblebar of vertical and lateral oscillation of said bolster end, andadjustable means secured in the opposite ends of said frame for varyingthe flexure of said bar against said bolster end.

17. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having compression andtension members merging adjacent their ends and spaced integral columnsforming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings,each of i said columns having along its upper portion a bolster guidesurface defined by inwardly and outwardly directed guide ilanges andinterrupted centrally thereof by a vertical slot, said slots beingaligned longitudinally of said frame, and

` openings in the ends of said frame aligned with said. before-mentionedslots for reception of an associated flexible member, said compressionmember having a longitudinal slot in the bottom wall thereof in verticalalignment with said beforementioned slots.

18. In a four wheel railway car truck, a side frame having integraltension and compression members merging adjacent their ends, integralcolumns forming therewith a bolster opening, vertical slots in saidcolumns aligned longitudinally of said frame, a spring group seated onsaid tension member, a bolster end extending within said opening andsupported on said spring group, and a flexible bar confined in said sideframe and extending longitudinally thereof through said columns andbearing on said bolster end, and thrust engaging means consisting ofspaced lugs on said bolster end affording control by said flexible barof vertical and lateral oscillation of said bolster end.

19. A truss side frame having compression and tension members mergingadjacent their ends and spaced integral columns forming therewith acentral bolster opening and spaced window openings, and longitudinalopenings at opposite ends of said frame aligned with longitudinalopenings in said columns for reception of an associated iiexible bar,said compression member having a box-section over said bolster openingwith the bottom wall thereof oiset at opposite sides thereof to form alongitudinal channel in vertical alignment with said column openings.

20. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having tension andcompression members and spaced columns merging therewith to form acentral bolster opening, a spring group seated on said tension member insaid opening, aligned vertical slots in said columns, a flexible memberextending through said slots, a bolster end confined in said bolsteropening between said spring group and said flexible member, and meansxed in the ends of the frame for exing said flexible member.

21. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having tension andcompression members and spaced columns merging therewith to form acentral bolster opening, a spring group seated on said tension member insaid opening, aligned vertical slots in said columns, a iiexible memberextending through said slots, a bolster end confined in said bolsteropening between said spring group and said exible member, lateral guideson said bolster ends for said flexible member, and means xed in the endsof the frame for flexing the confined member and urging it intoengagement with the adjacent bolster end.

22. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having tension andcompression members and spaced columns merging therewith to form acentral bolster opening, a spring group seated on said tension member insaid opening, aligned vertical slots in said columns, a flexible memberextending through said slots, a bolster end coniined in said bolsteropening between said spring group and said flexible member, means xed inthe ends of the frame for adjustably iiexing the coniined member andurging it into engagement with the adjacent bolster end, and a recess insaid compression member above said bolster opening for reception of saidexible member to facilitate removal of said bolster end.

23. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having a compressionmember, a tension member and spaced columns dening a central bolsteropening, longitudinally aligned slots in said columns, a spring group onsaid tension member in said opening, a flexible bar in said slots, abolster end extending into said opening and resiliently confined betweensaid group and said bar, engaging means on said bar and said bolster,and means fixed in the ends of the frame for iiexing said bar.

24. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having a compressionmember, a tension member and spaced columns defining a central bolsteropening, longitudinally aligned slots in said columns, a spring group onsaid tension member in said opening, a iiexible bar in said slots, abolster end extending into said opening and resiliently confined betweensaid group and said bar, and means in the ends of said frame foradjustably iiexing said bar.

25. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame having a compressionmember, a tension member and spaced columns deiining a central bolsteropening, longitudinally aligned slots in said columns, a spring group onsaid tension member in said opening, a iiexible bar in said slots, abolster end extending into said opening and resiliently confined betweensaid group and said bar, means in the ends of said frame for adjustablyflexing said bar, and a recess in said compression member over saidopening for reception of said bar in removal of said bolster end fromsaid bolster opening.

26. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a bolster openingand upstanding columns at opposite sides thereof, aligned slots throughsaid columns, resilient means on said frame in said opening, a bolsterend received within said opening and supported on said means, a flexiblemember extending through said slots and bearing on the top of said end,and means in the ends of said frame for flexing said member.

ALFRED H. OELKERS.

